January 15, 2025 Press Release
Source: AMC

The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center Welcomes Vanessa Spano, DVM, DACVB, as AMC’s First Veterinary Behaviorist

The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center Welcomes Vanessa Spano, DVM, DACVB, as AMC’s First Veterinary Behaviorist

The world’s largest veterinary teaching hospital and NYC’s only Level 1 Veterinary Trauma Center appoints first-ever behaviorist, providing specialized behavioral care for patients and families

Press Release

Dr. Vanessa Spano with dog
Vanessa Spano, DVM, DACVB with her Rescue Mini Poodle Puppia

New York, NY – January 15, 2024 – The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) announces the appointment of Vanessa Spano, DVM, DACVB, as the hospital’s first-ever animal behaviorist to provide specialized care for furry patients with behavioral disorders or psychological trauma. Dr. Spano is currently New York City’s only board-certified veterinary behaviorist, receiving her board certification in 2023 after completing her residency with the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, an accrediting organization with less than 100 specialists in all of North America.

“While there are a very limited number of veterinary behaviorists in the field, the demand for them is higher than ever, since pets are now truly considered members of the family,” said Helen M. Irving, RN, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of AMC. “So many pet parents will benefit from a specialized behaviorist’s care, whether they are a young puppy or an aging senior pet who is experiencing behavioral or neurological issues. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Spano to AMC’s roster of 140+ veterinarians who work across over 20 specialties to provide world-class medical care to our patients.”

Dr. Spano’s special interests include the implication of psychological trauma for patients who are part of cruelty cases, psychopharmacology, shelter medicine, and companion and farm animal welfare. She actively contributes to research publications, authoring multiple scientific articles, and received the Fear Free Grant for her research on pre-veterinary visit anxiolytics in shelter cats in 2023.

“I’m thrilled to be part of the team at AMC, especially as a native New Yorker who understands the incredible reputation and work that the hospital is known for,” said Vanessa Spano, DVM, DACVB. “Whether they are shelter or rescue cases with severe trauma or individual patients with behavioral issues whose parents are simply seeking help, all of our patients come to AMC for full-service compassionate care and treatment, and I’m very honored to be part of that.”

Growing up on Staten Island, Dr. Spano attended Barnard College of Columbia University for her undergraduate degree. In 2017, she received her doctorate in veterinary medicine from the Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island, Canada and completed a rotating internship in medicine and surgery at the ASPCA in NYC. While completing her residency with the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists under the mentorship of Dr. E’Lise Christensen, DVM, DACVB, she practiced as an associate behavior veterinarian in NYC and as a per diem veterinarian with the ASPCA, serving patients who were part of Humane Law Enforcement cases. Upon completing her residency, she was appointed Medical Director of the ASPCA’s Adoption Center, before joining the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. 

Dr. Spano and her family now live on the Upper East Side, in close proximity to AMC, with their rescue puppy, Puppia, and five rescue cats, Little Prince, Dancer, Princess, Sunny D, and Brodie.

About the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center Hospital of New York City

We are the world’s largest veterinary teaching hospital with NYC’s only level 1 trauma center. Our team of 140+ veterinarians work across over 20 specialties to provide world-class medical care, and we are here for pets and their families 24/7. We are proud to have served the people and pets of New York, and beyond, for over 110 years. More at: www.amcny.org. Follow on Instagram @amcny, on X @amcny, Facebook at The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, LinkedIn, and YouTube @TheAnimalMedicalCenter.

AMC Media Contacts:

Shin-Jung Hong, ShinJung@nicholaslence.com | Cell: 617-413-7880
Pia Fischetti, Pia@nicholaslence.com | Cell: 516-287-5815